Apparent Nucleation and Freezing in Various Parts of Young Citrus Trees during Controlled Freezes

Abstract

One- to 4-year-old sweet orange trees, Citrus sinensis (L.) Osbeck cv . Valencia on rough lemon (C. jambhiri Lush.) rootstock, were used in a series of tests on the depth and stability of supercooling in various parts of greenhouse-grown trees held in pots during controlled freezes. Thermocouples were attached to flowers, fruit, leaves, and wood. Supercooling levels were inconsistent, ranging from – 3C to – 7C. Nucleation was spontaneous and well defined by sharp exotherms. Rapid progression of crystallization (≈ 60 cm·min –1 ) indicated no major obstacles to ice propagation throughout the tree above soil level. The site of initial freezing was variable, with a tendency for trees to freeze from the base of the stem toward the top. The location of tissue damage did not necessarily correspond to the location of initial freeze event. Freezing in the wood often preceded freezing of flowers.